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Lincoln’s Hold on the Working-Men.
[Correspondence of the Press and Tribune.]
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, May 23, 1860.
The nomination of LINCOLN has kindled a blaze of glory in Old Champaign. He is preeminently, and without figure of speech, the candidate of the people! Every man who is struggling to improve his fortune by honest toil and patient endeavor, feels that in ABRAHAM LINCOLN he has a generous and confiding friend, and dignified representative. Instances are daily accumulating, here, of men who from early bias, and the force of party influence, have voted the Democratic ticket; but who now find themselves irresistibly impelled by their reverence for the public virtues of Mr. LINCOLN, and by the fame which he has won by his talents and industry, to give him their cordial and enthusiastic support. One of my neighbors – a Democrat – relates this incident: Years ago Mr. LINCOLN found him “stalled” in a slough with a heavy load. True to the sympathies of his noble nature, Mr. LINCOLN volunteered his aid – “put his shoulder to the wheel,” and sent the stranger on his way rejoicing. “And now,” continued by Democratic friend, “I have an opportunity to reward his kindness, and I intend to give Mr. LINCOLN the heartiest lift he ever had in his life; and there are four more of my Democratic neighbors who are going to join me.” That’s the way things are working in Champaign county.
Mr. LINCOLN is not a candidate of the politicians. He has not been groomed and fitted for the race by a set of jockeys who wished to run him for the stakes they could win; but he is the candidate of the people, uncorrupted by ambition or the lust of office. He is the true type of that hopeful industry and determined persevering application, which has achieved our progress in the past, and upon which we must rely for our future prosperity and greatness. More hearts have leaped for joy at the announcement of his nomination, than were ever before gladdened by a like event. The prairies are on fire [for?] Lincoln and Hamlin, and you may look to this county for a report in November next which will make the slave-worshipping Democracy howl.
SANGAMON.
